Political discussion and ranting, premised upon the fact that even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Is "The Breast Cancer Society" a Worthy Charity

I received a solicitation phone call from "The Breast Cancer Society", or more correctly from a phone bank they use to solicit donations, presumably because I have donated to other breast cancer charities in the past year. The phone bank had a decent script, concise and designed to inspire emotion with a dose of guilt at the end ("can the children count on you"), although I have to assume that the last line got crossed with the final appeal for another of the phone bank's charities.

I am always skeptical of donating money to charities through a phone bank, because the costs of those fundraising programs are so high. The phone bank takes a significant cut, from what I've heard between 40% and 90%. They also want a decision "now, now, now", diminishing your opportunity to figure out if they're a legitimate charity or a sound-alike charity - a charity that has picked a name that sounds a lot like a bona fide charity, but which has neither the integrity nor the track record of the charity from which their name is derived.

While on the phone I tried looking up "The Breast Cancer Society" in Charity Navigator. No dice. So I told the woman on the phone to call back later after I had a chance to investigate "The Breast Cancer Society" and figure out why it wasn't on Charity Navigator.

The answer to that last question is pretty simple. It's too new. The Breast Cancer Society doesn't have the necessary history of Form 990 filings with the IRS to support an entry in Charity Navigator. But wait a second... There's the Cancer Fund of America, run by the same people, which has a poor overall rating. The BBB has this to say:

Cancer Fund of America solicits donations across the U. S., including locally, through telemarketers, direct mail and online. The BBB found that more than 99 percent of all cash donations to the organization pay professional fundraising costs, salaries for charity officials, consultant fees and other expenses related to the charity’s operations.

* * *

Cancer Fund of America and a related support group, Cancer Fund of America Support Services, Inc., reported they raised slightly more than $17 million in 2007, the most recent year in which public information is available. Of that total, Cancer Fund of America reported it donated $54,000 in cash to unrelated groups or individuals – or about 3/10 of 1 percent. Of that $54,000, however, $50,000 went to a court directed cancer charity as part of a settlement with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs. The state alleged the charity gave out deceptive and misleading solicitations to consumers.

The salaries and benefit packages for charity president James T. Reynolds, Sr., two sons and a son-in-law totaled more than $537,000 for the same period.

The charity responded to the BBB that, having raised $17 million in cash donations and $5.8 million in non-cash donations in 2007, it should get credit for the "$3.3 million in non-cash donations the charity gave to individuals and other organizations in 2007."

However, several of the organizations listed in the charity’s federal report appear to have little direct connection with cancer causes.

A spokesperson for Angelic Ministries, an organization that works with the poor in the Knoxville region, said it receives “oodles” of items from Cancer Fund of America. Cancer Fund of America reported it gave about $317,000 in donated items to the ministry in 2007, and the spokesperson said much of that was over-the-counter pain and cold medications. She said about half the drug items were expired, but usually only by a few months, and the drugs remained effective.

Cancer Fund of America also reported giving nearly $230,000 in donated items to Trinity Rescue Mission of Jacksonville, Fla. A spokesperson there said that organization deals largely with the homeless and not specifically with cancer patients. She said she had no record of ever receiving any donations from Cancer Fund of America, although she said the items could have come through another organization. Reynolds failed to respond when asked specifically about the rescue mission donation.

The article provides further detail on the organization's management, expenses, and activities. In terms of related organizations:

Also, Federal records show Cancer Fund of America Support Services, Inc. received slightly less than $8.2 million in cash donations in 2007. That organization’s only outgoing grant was for $750,000 – to Cancer Fund of America. The report says its fundraising expenses totaled about $6.1 million. James T. Reynolds Jr., a son of James T. Reynolds Sr., is listed as president of the support group.

Rose Perkins, who formerly worked with her husband, Reynolds Sr., at Cancer Fund of America, left that organization several years ago and currently heads Children’s Cancer Fund of America of Powell, Tenn. Records show that Children’s Cancer Fund of America received about $5.4 million in cash donations and $2.2 million in non-cash donations in 2007. She reported direct cash to patients at about $382,000, or about 7 cents of every $1.00 raised. Fundraising expenses were reported at nearly $6.3 million, with $3.4 million going to Associated Community Services.

Perhaps that's the organization whose script was crossed with The Breast Cancer Society's, as that would explain why I was asked if the children could count on me.

Recent news accounts say that James T. Reynolds Jr. recently became head of yet another cancer organization, this one in Mesa, Ariz., and called The Breast Cancer Society. That charity has not operated long enough to file a federal report with the IRS.

Both of these organizations are affiliated with the 0-star Cancer Fund of America. All three are run by one family - James Reynolds Sr., James Reynolds Jr. (son of James Reynolds Sr.), Joshua Loveless (son-in-law to James Reynolds Sr.), Claudette Perkins (sister-in-law to James Reynolds Sr. and sister to Rose Perkins) and Michael Reynolds (son of James Reynolds Sr.). According to their most recently filed Forms 990, both the Cancer Fund of America Support Services and the Children's Cancer Fund of America spent at least 85% of their budgets on fundraising and just 11% on programs and services.

Are you surprised that, after I instructed them that I would investigate them before making a donation, I have not heard back?

254 comments:

With the "almost expired cough medicine", it sounds like they're running a variation of the "used car donation" scheme that Congress cracked down on a few years ago, in which the donation of a clunker would get the donor high blue book value for their tax deduction. A company, distributor or store that has a pallet full of almost-expired medicine could donate it to an organization as a charitable contribution, taking a deduction at full retail value, when they otherwise would have had to write it off at a loss (for what they paid for it), thereby earning themselves a larger deduction and something to brag about in their P.R. materials.

Just got a call Seattle WA, checked out website, if you click on their programs, nothing happens!!! Checked out CharityNavigator, the only thing that shows up is BreastCancerSociety.INCIt is a total scam, they are very good at what they do. But as soon as you start asking questions, they are out of there.

Same thing happened to me in Portland, OR. She would not agree to just send me literature of their organization and then I could choose to donate if I wished. Instead she kept trying to get me to commit to a price. They are phony.

The deleted comments are because they are from breast cancer who have received services from The Breast Cancer Society. This is not the first time this blog administrator has not allowed adequate information to be presented on this blog by deleting the posts.

I have always let you post here, as much as you want, no constraints whatsoever. Although you previously lied and claimed I deleted one of your posts, it's right there in this thread for anybody to see.

To the extent that you have chosen not to answer the questions posed to you, that's your right - but the fault lies entirely with you, not with me.

The comments at issue were posted by a single person, and obviously so. Anybody can follow the link to the comments, below, and see that for themselves.

There is one other person who has commented in this thread from the same IP as the fake endorsements of your organization. Want to guess who that was?

Got a call from them early last week and almost fell for it and agreed to donate- Usually I do background check before I agree , but guests at home, kids crying when I had this call made to fold in. Most of the solicitors so far would only ask for address so that they can mail in the collection envelope- but the lady wanted my Credit card , I said NO send me your mailer. She took the address( in fact they already had my addss, just verified with me). And barely 2 passed I started getting numerous calls every day from them again, even on week end & also from ton of charities( sold my # to them). BY this time I made up my mind not to send in any penny. I thought they are calling to rush me to open their mail and send in the check, with in what 2 -3 days of taking call!!!??? Just today I had a chance to go over my week old mail, guess what they had not sent in any. But keep calling , not leaving message. Added them and their buddies to my Call Block list.

I just got a call from them and was trying to check while she was talking to me. I said I'd give them ten dollars. I never fall for this crap. I've got to sign up to block 800 numbers and put them on our do not call list.

They just called me. I told them that I was a survivor and hadn't heard of them. They referred me to their (lovely) website. As I told the caller that I was looking the organization up on Charity Navigator, she hung up on me.

Same experience. got call, then no mailer. another call asked for credit card. said no , send mailer. got mailer like 2 weeks later and received a call next day reminder to pay. Told her I was a BC survivor and never came across this charity for help or information. Told I wanted to look up first, no site opens....

I just received a call from them. I was in the kitchen and couldn't see the caller ID #. My phone is high on the wall & I'm short. I answered it. I agreed to $20.00 but when they transferred me over to someone else for "verification" and she wanted a credit or debit card, a red flag went up. I said "no", send me something in the mail. After reading these posts, I will add their # to my caller ID block. I don't intend to give these people a dime!

I cannot say if others have had poor experiences with the BCS. However, some of my patients have received needed funds and support from this organization in the last days of their life. It is a shame that some people would prefer to spend time tearing down an organization that is trying to help those in need, rather than lift up those that need the help.

BCS is in the local Phoenix News tonight, channel 3. Apparently their tax forms show they are only giving - if I heard it right, something like 3% of the money they take in. And are refusing to talk to reporters or answer any questions.Yes - a scam. Diverting money from real charities that actually help people.

Anonymous 6/20, I would be more impressed with a claim that "some of my patients have received needed funds and support from this organization" if there were a name attached to that claim. The last time I looked at their 1099's the amount they were distributing in funds was small, as was the number of recipients, so it would be interesting to learn who you are, how your patients were selected, and how much money they received.

Frankly, if nothing else, sharing your identity would help you distinguish yourself from the fake endorsements posted here in the past.

Just when you think you've seen it all. I had been wondering, "What sort of person would want to be a spokesperson for an outfit like that." And now I know. You told us in 2011, "James Reynolds Jr. of TBCS is not currently employing any family members." You hadn't yet married the man?

Kristina, in looking at your website you claim that your 2011 financial documents are your current financials. When can we expect to see your numbers for 2012?

The supposed doctor above made me want to check out your current financials, but I'm stuck with 2011. In that year you gave grants to 798 individuals (with most of your 'assistance' being in the form of the donated items that you inflate in value then ship off to foreign nations). You report giving $312,435 in cash aid - an amount that I'll note is miniscule compared to your revenues, and is significantly less than your organization's payroll. That would be an average of just under $400 per person.

But when I look at your audited financials, I that your "cash grants for patients" totaled $290,892. I appreciate that it's not an enormous difference in terms of your overall budget, but which figure is correct?

Further, in 2010 you reported giving more than $850,000 in grants to individuals. Why the precipitous drop-off in support for individual cancer patients? Have those cuts continued into 2012 and 2013?

Your 2010 grants were well above the $600 maximum grant you describe on your website - and that's if we assume that the grant money was distributed evenly. The average size of your grants plummeted in 2011, and now you cap cash aid at $100 per month for six months. Did I miss something - did the needs of cancer patients diminish significantly after 2010?

I'm sure that the small number of cancer patients you help with cash assistance are happy to get $100 per month for a maximum of six months, but why not more? Given your financials, and your organization's vast financial holdings (Your 2011 financials show $820,052 in investments and $920,784 in cash, and you apparently own your $million office building), why not a lot more?

Does the @$50,000 in vehicles owned by your organization include the late model, upmarket pickup truck your husband drives? If so, does he use it for any work-related purposes other than making obscene gestures while running away from reporters?

The Breast Cancer Society is an organization stemming from a family of corrupt organizations. How they are still in operation is a question that troubles me today. I had the misfortune of involving myself with this organization in the past. Kristina Hixson/Reynolds portrays this organization and its members as altruistic and deeply caring for cancer patients. However, time spent closely with these people and the organization would reveal what the true inner workings are. Its simply as CNN and Anderson Cooper discovered. This organization is a front to line the pockets of James and Kristina Reynolds, and their friends and family. Kristina Hixson met James Reynolds Jr. as an employee of TBCS (as they refer to it)where she started cleaning the offices.They were both married and began an in office affair. James would later make an "honest" woman out of Kristina and then advance her to PR Director. Thats just the start, this rabbit hole runs deep. The board Chairman Eric Fransen is questionably on the payroll and a long time childhood friend of James Reynolds Jr. Liana Lopez is Fundraising Director and sister of Kristina Reynolds. Tracy Wilson is the Accountant and sister of Kristina Reynolds. Diana Tenney is the Grant Writer and mother to Kristina Reynolds. All of the aforementioned people are handsomely paid for positions they underperform in and are unqualified to hold. If measured to the workplace standards of an upstanding charity, all of the members of TBCS would find themselves unemployed. The board that presides over TBCS is plagued by nepotism just as the actual organization itself. Members are long time friends and family, which makes approval easy for matters concerning policy and payroll. The call center ACS (Associated Community Services) is run by Dick Cole in Detroit and is the lifeline that funds all 3 of the Reynold's family charities. Without that call center, these charities would actually have to roll up their sleeves and perform the daily tasks of an honorable charity. They'd never be able to maintain their lavish salaries, comfortable facilities, and company vehicles, and many other obscene perks such as an in office workout room and personal trainer for Kristina Reynolds. I am ashamed to say that I ever involved myself with this organization and embarrassed that I ever spoke a good word about these people. The truth about these people should be known, and they should not collect another dollar in the name of cancer patients.

Thanks for posting. They called me, but I declined to send them money unless they sent me a written request, which I have in hand. After reading this, They won't be receiving any money from me. Appreciate your investigative work.

You can donate a car directly to a charity, without going through a "car donation" group. We donated ours to an organization in our state that promotes adoption of "unadoptable" children (after I checked them out, of course.) The car was picked up free by a local dealer, who gets a tax break and nothing more.

Why would a charity organized to help cancer patients, send over 10 million dollars in medical supplies to foreign countries. Why do they loan money to officers and forgive the debt of those officers. Why do they need a million dollars in land, buildings, and cars. Why do they run at a deficit? Why are they paying for life insurance for officers??

I just got a call from this group, and I asked for the percentages going to the charity and to the fundraising. The phone clerk found it funny, I guess, because she yelled away and also on the phone "Percentages!!" and laughed. Another woman came on the line and said 20% to the charity and 80% to the organinzational fundraising. So I clarified, 'So if I give $20, only $4 goes to the charity?" she said with a straight voice, "Yes". I said that I did not like those numbers, and hung up. I am now enjoying answering these 'toll free' charity calls....I said no today also to Amer Cancer Society (look them up: they exist only to line pharma/medical pockets and to support their own existence. Read Dr Samuel Epstein and his 'Politics of Cancer"; google him and the Amer Cancer Society.)

I just got a phone call tonight, but they asked me for my credit card over the phone. I'm just not comfortable giving out that kind of info over the phone, so I hung up. I wanted to check them out first - glad I did!

I just heard from them a few days ago. The callers are cool but pushy. Look up their addresses on Google: The one in Ohio is at a UPS store and the one in Mesa, AZ, is in a strip mall. I'm certainly not donating money, but they have called twice and I'm about to contact the attorney general of Texas.

This post has been incredibly helpful! They contacted me in April. I, too, do not give my credit card to anyone that calls me and instead I asked them to send me information I could review. They have called back several times to follow up on my donation and one time said something about another organization (can't remember which one but it was something like "thank you for supporting muscular dystrophy assoc"). This of course made me leary but thought maybe it was a phone bank issue. They just called again today and I told them I had been doing research on them and would like to understand where there donations go and the gentleman said "Thank you for your time." and hung up. Something definitely seems shady about this organization and I will be warning my friends and family.

I made a one time donation of $20 back in March, since then I have received no less than 6 phone calls from them wanting money. As always when I'm asked for donations I tell them to send me the info via mail and if I am financially able to make a donation then I will. However this is not good enough for them, the lady I talked to wanted me to commit to $300, I said "NO"and she kept going down until she finally said that she "would put me down for the same as my last donation. Before I could say anything, she rattled off something about thier papers being on file with the govenors office and hung up the phone. At this point I had pretty much decided where the donation papers were going when they arrived at my house. Then to top it off about 15 mins. later another woman called and wanted me to verify the donation of $20 that I had promised Nicole. I told her " I did not make any promises to Nicole or anyone else for that fact, and now that you people have woken me up (Iwork the graveyard shift)twice then when the papers get here my donation will be (expleteive)$0", "and further more if you or anyonefrom your org. calls again I will seek legal action as my phone numbers are on the national do not call list".What a bunch of pushy people, Now I see why.

Thank you for this information. I suspected something of this order when they called me. I do not give over the phone and their pushy manners and dirty tricks such as passing you on to someone else who is supposed to verify your address but instead starts by asking your credit card number) definitively raised a flag for me. I am now expecting a call any day about why I did not send anything back and it will be my pleasure to explain in detail why. I will also point out that I am on the no-call list and they better get my phone number off their list.

Charities can call you (and by proxy, their for-profit fund raisers) even if you're on the no-call list, but you can ask them specifically to remove you from their calling lists. (Businesses with which you have a relationship are also able to call you even if you're on the no-call list, and some businesses take lot of liberty with what it means to have a "business relationship". Fill in one of those "win a car"/win a trip"-type cards at the mall, and you can expect a bunch of calls from the sponsors.)

They called me this afternoon. I agreed to donate, but I did not trust them especially after the second rep asked me for my debit or credit card after the first rep told me they would send me a bill in the mail. I am not sending them anything after reading this information.

Exact same thing happened to me last week. Open the mail tonight and there's a donation card for the same amount of money. They get very angry if you won't give them a credit card or debit card number. Nasty people.

gOT THE SAME SETUP, MADE THE PLEDGE, GOT REFERED TO ANOTHER WHO IMMEDIATELY ASKED FOR A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD, I SAID SEND ME THE PLEDGE, I GIVE NOTHING OUT TO CHARITIES OVER THE PHONE, THEN I GOOGLED THIS GROUP UP AND FOUND THIS, MY SUSPICIONS WERE CORRECT. THEY SENT A MAILING, THE RETUN ENVELOPE WAS BLANK, TO INCLUDE ANY POSTAGE PREPAID ON THE ENVELOPE....EVEN CREDIT CARD COMPANIES PAYS THE RETURN POSTAGE ON THEIR SOLICITATIONS. WHAT A SCAM THEY ARE, USING THE NAME AND PERPETRATING THIS FRAUD , THEY SOUND LEGITIMATE, BUT THEY ARE USING A RUSE OF COMMONALITY IN NAME ONLY !!! YOU CAN BET THIS ALL GOES INTO THE POCKETS OF A FEW AT THE OTHER END. SCUM LIKE THIS NEED TO BE BROUGHT OUT INTO THE LIGHT OF DAY AND PUT IN THE STOCKS FOR ALL TO DERIDE AND TOSS ROTTEN FRUIT AT !!!

They called me today. I said I would pledge, then they sent me to another person who asked for a credit/debit card number. I refused and said I was under the impression I woud be getting something in the mail in order to send in my pledge. The person said ok, you will receive something in the mail. Thank God, I did not give them a card number,I had my doubts and went with my gut feeling. What a scam after reading all of these comments.People are really sick using this disease to make money.

Hello, I shouldn't have answered the phone. I also recieved their liturature after I refused to give my credit card over the phone. Once I had the name and info in hand I decided to look them up and LOOK what I found! It has cost them .36 cents and a phone call. I would mail then a copy of this page but it will cost me a postage stamp.

Wow! All of these post are heart breaking. I work for The Breast Cancer Society. I have worked with them for more than 2 years now. I have personally witnessed thousands of breast cancer patients and their families across the world receive much needed assistance. I can understand the confusion with extended family members who also run organizations, however, The Breast Cancer Society is its own service, with an inspiring mission. I welcome any and ALL concerns to be forwarded directly to myself. I stand behind this mission and I stand behind all of the women who are currently receiving help.

Kristina, Perhaps you should have recipients post their own testimonies about your society. A good word can refute fallacy.I just received my donation envelope.For now, it's going into the circular file until I learn more. I am most concerned about the % of money I donate that actually makes it into the hands of those with cancer. JD

I just received a call from this Breast Cancer Society and she wanted to know if I could give the highest amount donation of 40 dollars. When I explained to her that I was going to the doctors today for my own mammogram because of lumps in my breast and that I have no insurance, she said "I'm sorry then can you donate 20 to 25 dollars?" I told her that I couldn't promise anything until I found out how much I'm going to have to pay. She then said "have a good day." I should have been asking her for donations. Terrible attitude and poor listener.

received a call from Breast Cancer Society, 860-531-3080...caller asked for "Jane"...I told her she had the wrong number...she replied "I think I do have the right number" and continues talking, as if after being called a liar, and in so rude a manner, I want to listen to anything else this person has to say. I told her again she had called the wrong number, and asked her NOT to call again.

First, where can we find your organization's most recent 1099 online? That will help clear up such questions as how much of your contributions, and specifically how much cash that's contributed, ends up in the hands of cancer victims.

Second, is it true that the bulk of your business is comprised of collecting expired medications from domestic sources, providing a face value tax deduction to the donor, then shipping them to beneficiaries overseas? Without regard to whether those beneficiaries have cancer, or if the expired meds are relevant to cancer?

Third, how much money did you attract last year in donations? How much money did your organization issue in the form of cash grants to domestic organizations performing breast cancer research or treatment? How much money did your organization place in the hands of individual breast cancer patients?

Atticus - You can go to NJ State Department of Consumer affairs to see their record for last year: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity. You need to dig a little, but they are there. Last year, 69% of their revenue went to programs and 29% went to management and fundraising. This does not meet my criteria. I cancelled my pledge (made under duress).

How much of that "revenue" was actual revenue, as opposed to creative accounting? If they're continuing to play the type of game described below, the numbers could be far worse than you suggest.

Press him on his group's finances and he admits that, in fact, BCS raised just $15 million in cash donations in 2009. The other $35 million represented his estimate of medications that the BCS accepted as gifts or bought at a major discount but then listed on its books as having much higher values. For example, BCS reported that it sent $8.8 million worth of goods to hospitals in East Asia. "I'd have to look it up, but it probably cost us maybe $40,000 to procure and distribute that," Reynolds concedes in a phone interview."

The experience with this organization has been very interesting in a negative way. They called, I pledged $20. As a working Mom, sending in the pledge was not top priority. I received at least 7 invoices and 25 "HARASSING" phone calls made by very unprofessional individuals. My daughters and my husband all all turned off by anything related to the Cancer Society. One good thing came of this. A year ago I wrote a check for the Relay for Life which was just now processed. We switched banks and the check could not be processed so I received a letter from the ACS. The most recent experience was what I remembered so at my husand's suggestion,I did the google to be informed when I called. Guess what? It was legitimate! You can beleive I let them know about this organization. The CS let me know this was a fraudulent agency and they were not affiliated in any way, shape or form.

Very informative! I'm in Illinois and received a call last week. I said I never donate over the phone, but they could send me literature. They put me on hold and a new person came on asking for my credit card information for my $20 donation. I explained I wasn't MAKING a donation, just getting literature and they hung up. The literature came today, so I decided to do a little research and found all of you. There are so many LEGITIMATE and worthwhile organizations out there. It's unfortunate groups like this give them a bad name.

After being contacted (harassed?) by the call center affiliated with the BCS, I decided to look into them - as I too won't give my financial information over the phone.

I found not only this information on this blog, but also their website and it turns out that Kristina DuPuis is their Director of Operations and Public Relations. It also seems like they have a rather small and inter-related Board of Directors. You can see that here: http://www.breastcancersociety.org/aboutus/tbcsboardandstaff/

Something about them and their hard-sell call center doesn't set well with me - so I think I'll continue to support Susan Komen, the Breast Cancer Fund or Breast Cancer Action. If you Google "Breast Cancer", the Breast Cancer Society doesn't even show up in the first 20 pages of the search results.

I am more than happy to answer all of the question that you posted. Thank you for the oppurtunity.

I do work in PR for The Breast Cancer Society. This isn't, however, why I responded to this blog. I have concerns on the false reporting that has the potential to hurt a service that cancer patients need. As PR & Operations Manager, I primarily focus on the positive and execution of education and programs for breast cancer issues. I hope my explaining this will help me remain credible in your eyes. I am not just simply doing my "job".

Anyone may contact me to be removed from our calling list. TBCS does not want to "harass" anyone. It is important to us that we maintain good standing with our supporters, as well as those who would rather forego a donation or donate else where.

1: I believe the form you are interested in is the 990. It is not currently online. We are in the process of updating our website, which will include this in a pdf format. The way you are able to obtain this form online for other charities at this time is through such sites as "Charity Navigator" or "Guide Star". As you will find, an organization usually needs to have 4 years of 990 filings before they can be rated and included on these sites. We look forward to this oppurtunity in the upcoming year. In the meantime, I can supply this form for anyone who would like to review it.

I think you will be surprised to find that we have a 1% adminstrative cost, which is far below the industry standard of 15%,75% of funds raised go into our Program Services. This is an outstanding number for such a new charity. 24% of our funds do go toward fundraising costs. As a new organization, we are actively looking to lower this, while increasing our Program Services. All the while, maintaining an outstanding adminstrative budget.

2: In regards to medication; NO! We are not involved with any of that type of activity. All medications provided to breast cancer patients through TBCS are relevant and are well within the "Used By" dates.

3: We primarily focus our attention on breast cancer patients and their needs. In that respect, cash assistance and medications are all extremely relevant. Financial assistance is available only to women within the United States. While the majority of our programs are specifically for women, we do issue grants for worthy breast cancer causes; research, education, support groups and awareness initiatives. One of our research grants issued to CancerCare Northwest will have its findings published in an upcoming Medical Journal.

4: I believe I have answered your question regarding the charity assessment services. The BBB has always been given all of the information that they have requested from us for any complaint filed. On a Public Relations note, last month we supplied the BBB with our registration information to obtain a Seal of Approval from them. We hope to hear from them soon. We currently hold a Humane Charity Seal as well as a Combined Federal Campaign Seal.

5: A car donation processing center was working with an unrelated charity that was using only 1% of its funds raised for its programs. The State of New York investigated ALL charities that were using this car donation center. We promptly supplied all requested information. We were cleared from any further investigation.

6: James Reynolds Sr. is not my employer. He is the Executive Director for Cancer Fund of America. His ex-wife Rose Perkins,Executive Director for Children's Cancer Fund of America. My employer, James Reynolds Jr. is the Executive Director for TBCS. I am not sure of the family relations of staff members for the other two organizations. I am not priviledge to those organizations records. James Reynolds Jr. of TBCS is not currently employing any family members.

All three organizations are completely seperate financially and in purpose.

Your statement about overhead doesn't square with the NJ Department of Consumer Affairs. You basically took in $48 million and put $33 million into programs. The rest, about 29% went to management and fundraising expenses. This certainly does not meet my criteria for a legitimate charity.

I have responded to all of your questions and appreciated the oppurtunity. I replied with over 4,000 characters and the administrator of this blog deleted it. They were open and accurate replies. If my replies continue to be deleted this will become a legal issue.

If you would like to leave your email, I will send thereplies to you. Thank you for wanting to hear both sides and remaining unbiased.

Wow, bullying the site admin with legal threats, because you don't understand how blogspot works. Thanks for convincing me not to donate to your organization (I came to this site after making a conditional pledge on the phone, which I hereby rescind).

Kristina, that is not true. I have not deleted any comments. It is truly out-of-line for you to make a false statement like that and then to try to intimidate me with talk of "legal issues".

If your comments exceed the limits imposed by Google's blogger software, post more than one comment such that you don't exceed the space limits. You will note that Google owns blogger. I have no control over its maximum character limits for comments.

Also, Kristina, if you believe that anything posted here, original post or comments, is inaccurate, you can share your perspective - right here, right now. So far you haven't indicated that there is any false or misleading information in this blog post or the comments.

I got a call from the Breast Cancer Society at the end of June. I wouldn't give my cc info either but said that I would pledge $20 and they could contact me by mail. I also told them I am on the Do Not Call list and to take me off of their list. I sent my pledge and only wished I had seen this discussion before I did. I included a note with my pledge to take me off of their list. I am still getting at least two calls a day from them and they hang up when they get my machine. I just reported them to the Do Not Call website because their practices are more than annoying!

It would be better if that information were more complete, and up-to-date. It's from their 2009 Form 990, which again has me wondering why they appear to make it so hard to get more recent financial data on their activities.

The website you link shows "program activities" of $34,195,409.00. Their Form 990 indicates that $33,084,021.00 of that money was directed to "governments, organizations and individuals outside of the U.S.", meaning that other than salaries and fund-raising activities only $1,111,388 was spent in the U.S., or 2.28% (yes, barely over 2%) of their annual expenditures.

Of that 2.28%, a lot seems to be overhead. If you look at grants and other assistance given to governments and individuals in the U.S., the figure is $569,141, or 1.17% (barely over 1%) of their annual expenditures.

This is consistent with what I have read, that the bulk of what the Breast Cancer Society, Inc., does is accept donations of expired medications without regard to their usefulness for breast cancer, ship them overseas to any qualifying organization that will accept them, and give the companies that donated the expired meds a fat tax deduction. The money they solicit by calling people like us appears to be used primarily to pay the bills, salaries and shipping costs, with almost none of their activities focusing on the needs of cancer patients inside of the United States.

Expired meds are often good for months or years after the expiration date, so there is a charitable purpose in scavenging expired meds from domestic companies that cannot sell them and shipping them overseas to patients who need them. I just don't expect that any appreciable number of the people this outfit hits up for donations understand how little of their donations will directly benefit cancer patients, or that the bulk if this organization's activity relates to non-cancer patients, one would assume, in the developing world.

Kristina, please correct me if any of that is incorrect or misleading.

In my post that was lost I had commented that the data at njconsumeraffairs.gov is based upon the Breast Cancer Society's 2009 1099, and that according to the actual 1099, of the expenditures not related to salaries and fund raising, virtually all were directed overseas. About 2.4% (I'm ball parking - I had calculated the actual figure but I don't have time to recalculate at the moment) was spent domestically, and about half of that money was for expenses - so only about 1.2% of their expenditures, as I recall less than $600,000 out of more than $48 million, went to domestic recipients, individuals, organizations or governments.

That is consistent with their collecting expired meds, shipping them to any willing taker in the developing world, and giving the donor a full value tax write-off. There is true value in getting meds that still work but are expired into the hands of people who need but can't afford them. But I don't think this is how ordinary people expect an organization called "The Breast Cancer Society" to be expending their cash donations.

If I'm wrong in any of that, I look forward to Kristina's clarification.

Received a phone call solicitation on Monday. Today is Thursday and yesterday I received a pledge notification. Wow, they work fast. Got a phone call this morning and I said "she's not in right now." I decided NOT to give a donation as I am leary of this organization and expect I will be harassed.Same thing happened to me at the first call...request for donation, credit card number. Said I don't use credit cards for donations and was turned over to a supervisor who wanted credit card donation. I told them to 'send me something in the mail.' They did and now it's in the trash.Pattie

You can count me in as one of the many who almost got fooled by these pushy slimy jerks! Ever since they pulled their guilt trip on me (I immediately get suspicious if you feel the need to trowel the emotion on thick in order to open my wallet!) I've been inundated with countless "Unidentified" and "Assoc. Comm. Svc." calls that I refuse to answer.

I've received two calls today because I did not send my pledge ($15) was not mailed in what they ,I guess is a timely manner. There will be a check THIS time with a great big TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST attached. After reading this site and the comments I am convinced this is a scam and will no longer support it

Well i just got a "friendly reminder" that I had pledged $10, sent to correct address & last name, wrong first name. I've never heard of them and never talked on the phone to a company like that. Calling BBB tomorrow.

I too recieved multiple calls from pushy phone bank reps regarding this charity. I had never heard of this particular organization, so I wanted to check them out first. They immediately transferred me to another rep who asked for my debit or credit card number. In my opinion, any legitimate charity would never let themselves be represented like this. I then recieved a letter that was formatted like a bill, with the words 'Friendly Reminder', as if I ordered a magazine and forgot to pay for it. What a joke. Send your money to St. Jude or Sloan Kettering.

I see that Google somehow found Kristina's lost post. I find it... partial?

"...We are in the process of updating our website, which will include this in a pdf format...."

It should take your webmaster all of two or three minutes to get your Form 990's online. You posted that quite some time ago. Where can I find them on your site?

"... All medications provided to breast cancer patients through TBCS are relevant and are well within the "Used By" dates...."

But how much of the medication you collect falls within that description? The article I read suggested that most of the meds you collect aren't cancer-related, and are shipped overseas without regard to whether the recipient has anything to do with cancer treatment or has cancer.

To the extent that most or all of the medication you collect is unexpired, how close are we talking to the expiration dates? Why are companies donating the medication instead of giving you cash - what's in it for them?

"... Financial assistance is available only to women within the United States...."

Yet only a tiny amount of your charitable activities occur within the United States. Are you confirming that the majority of your organization's activity involves shipping non-cash items (donated medications) to overseas recipients? If not, please clarify.

"...James Reynolds Sr. is not my employer. He is the Executive Director for Cancer Fund of America. His ex-wife Rose Perkins,Executive Director for Children's Cancer Fund of America. My employer, James Reynolds Jr. is the Executive Director for TBCS. I am not sure of the family relations of staff members for the other two organizations. I am not priviledge to those organizations records...."

Surely you can see how the web of Reynolds' organizations, past and present, would raise the eyebrows of potential donors who are aware of them. Why are your bosses keeping that information from you?

"...All three organizations are completely seperate financially and in purpose...."

So there are no business or financial transactions whatsoever between the companies?

I found a BBB reference to the practices of "Cancer Fund of America", the Breast Cancer Society's predecessor organization:

"A spokesperson for Angelic Ministries, an organization that works with the poor in the Knoxville region, said it receives “oodles” of items from Cancer Fund of America. Cancer Fund of America reported it gave about $317,000 in donated items to the ministry in 2007, and the spokesperson said much of that was over-the-counter pain and cold medications. She said about half the drug items were expired, but usually only by a few months, and the drugs remained effective.

"Cancer Fund of America also reported giving nearly $230,000 in donated items to Trinity Rescue Mission of Jacksonville, Fla. A spokesperson there said that organization deals largely with the homeless and not specifically with cancer patients. She said she had no record of ever receiving any donations from Cancer Fund of America, although she said the items could have come through another organization. Reynolds failed to respond when asked specifically about the rescue mission donation."

Kristina, please clarify exactly how business practices have changed under the new organization.

I think you will be surprised to find that we have a 1% adminstrative cost, which is far below the industry standard of 15%,75% of funds raised go into our Program Services. This is an outstanding number for such a new charity. 24% of our funds do go toward fundraising costs. As a new organization, we are actively looking to lower this, while increasing our Program Services. All the while, maintaining an outstanding adminstrative budget.----------Come on Kristina, only 1% administrative costs? 75% goes to program services? Only 24% goes towards fundraising/telemarketing?

We weren't all born yesterday. Do you think anybody is really going to buy these b.s. numbers? We know better.

"...The way you are able to obtain this form online for other charities at this time is through such sites as "Charity Navigator" or "Guide Star". As you will find, an organization usually needs to have 4 years of 990 filings before they can be rated and included on these sites...."

You may be too new for Charity Navigator, but Guide Star includes you through 2009. Why has your organization chosen not to provide it with more recent information?

If the 1% figure does not include salaries or fund raising, and just about all (or perhaps all) fund raising activities are outsourced, there's no reason the figure should be high.

Recall also that most of their activity seems to be in donated pharmaceuticals, which I expect are handled in bulk transactions. I'm still waiting for Kristina to better explain how that works.

The BCS website says...

"...The Breast Cancer Society – based in Mesa, Arizona – is one of the only national breast cancer charities in the U.S. with a primary focus on providing direct help and financial aid to those suffering from breast cancer...."

By the most recent available Form 990, "primary focus" seems to mean "About 1% of what we do". Please, Kristina, explain your business model and share your Form 990's so we can see how things have changed.

They say they collect/distribute medications. Do they (supposedly)offer any financial assistance to women, to help get mammograms? I see nothing mentioned about this. I find it odd, that a (supposed) cancer charity only deals in medication.

Here is a report by a Detroit tv station,on Associated Community Services, the same telemarketing company that Breast Cancer Society uses. http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/company-pockets-majority-of-charitable-donations-to-cancer,-veterans,-children%27s-groups----------It tells about how Associated Community Services keeps the bulk of donations taken in, and how little goes to the actual charity.(In some cases, they keep anywhere from 80% to 90% of every dollar taken in.) This report also tells of Associated Community Services high pressure tactics.

Other than what's listed under the "contact us" section on The Breast Cancer Society's web site, there is really no information about how you apply for (supposed) help from The Breast Cancer Society. Unless I'm misssing something somewhere, or I'm blind.

Just saw this article today: "Donors Warned to be Wary of “Breast Cancer Society” Charity

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many national and local businesses and organizations are soliciting monetary donations and are marketing products and services to support research for a cure for breast cancer.

Consumers are encouraged to be selective about how they donate to the cause, to ensure their money or a significant percentage of a purchase ends up in the hands of a legitimate charity.

BBB is warning donors to be wary of making contributions to The Breast Cancer Society, an Arizona-based charity that uses most of its donations to pay professional fundraisers’ fees, employee salaries and other administrative costs. The charity’s BBB Wise Giving Report may be accessed at: http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/breast-cancer-society-in-mesa-az-16255.

The Breast Cancer Society has declined to be evaluated by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. Better Business Bureau reports more than 85 cents of every dollar collected by this charity in 2010 went to pay fundraising costs."

I’ve recently had the same experience as many of the above entries regarding the Breast Cancer Society (BCS). The BCS utilizes Associated Community Services (ACS), located in Michigan to silicate donations. The Michigan Secretary of State has this public record for ACS:

The State of California, Office of the Attorney General, provides information on the activities from what is called the Commercial Fundraising Report in the State of California. Example year 2007, Link:

http://ag.ca.gov/charities/publications/2007cfr/cfr2007.pdf

It will provide the charity, the commercial fundraiser (like ACS), the actual revenues received, and the % that the charity actually received of revenues.

The National Do Not Call Registry says this about “third party telemarketers” like ACS:

… third-party telemarketer is calling on behalf of a charity, a consumer may ask not to receive any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If a third-party telemarketer calls again on behalf of that charity, the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000 .

The link the above is : http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm

Also consult your state’s Department of Justice for any additional actions you may take to file a complaint, and evidence they need to support your claim.

I gave $30 to Cancer Fund of America yesterday. It was an expensive lesson, but I guess I've learned to do my research before donating. I really do regret it. There are a lot of other charitable organization that could have actually done some good with my hard earned money.

These people have called me at least 2 additional times after I told them to mail me information to donate. Their persistence at trying to get bank information from me prompted me to google The Breast Cancer Society. I am glad I trusted my instincts! Down side is now they have my mailing address... more junk mail...

I rec a call also, and the first rep I spoke to an also asked if I would be able to pledge $20. When I explained I was unemployed and would do $10 she said any amt would be fine. Then another rep got on the phone confirmed everything, and before I realized some questions I asked were not answered conversation was over. I did make my contribution as promised on line, checked my account, and $10 was deducted. I then became leary after receiving a phone call about a donation. I told the lady I donated, funds have cleared, remove my name from the list and do not call again, her tone changed and she said "have a good day" and hung up. I never got a thank you, or sorry to bother you nothing. Since then I have called the # that was on my caller id as Assoc Comm Serv 248-351-5662, and cannot reach a live body. I left several messages asking for a return call in regards to my donation. It's been a week, and guess what NOTHING! I have promised myself no more donations, other than taking food or clothing to the shelter for the needy, or putting money in the boot for the fire dept in my county. I am a very giving and loving person, but there are so many people that is not. That's it for me...sorry!!

The Breast Cancer Society stats on its website that "thousands of victims of breast cancer each year need not only information and the hope for an eventual cure, but also require direct assistance today so they and their families can meet the challenges of this disease." Within the U.S.. alone, who could deny that. So why aren't they directing their money and resources at the thousands of U.S. breast cancer patients that need their help? Helping hundreds is better than helping none, but how can an organization operating at this scale that emphasizes the importance of direct assistance still only be providing that assistance to hundreds (661) instead of the thousands they know need help?

in 2010, their income was $48,509,971. They spent almost $15,000,000 of that amount on fund raising, and about $5 million more on other expenses.

They spent scarcely more than $2 million on programs to help breast cancer patients in the U.S. If Kristina comes back, I hope she can elaborate on how the cash was used.

They provided $851,823 in the form of "Grants and other assistance to individuals in the U.S." specifically in the form of cash and non-cash aid to 661 individuals, and $25,002 for "Grants and other assistance to governments and organizations in the U.S.", specifically Breast Cancer Option in Kingston, NY ($12,000 cash), KS Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation in Pomona, CA ($8,000 cash), and PPEP Tech in Tucson, AZ ($5,002, non-cash).

They spent $31,500,000 on donations to overseas clinics, under the claim that the recipients of the donations "serve as the primary or-often the single-health service to breast cancer patients in their region." This appears consistent with what was written about them - that their primary activity is collecting donated medical goods, giving domestic donors of those goods a huge tax deduction, then shipping them overseas to clinics where the best they can say is that in theory a cancer patient might benefit. That would seem consistent with the close to $32 million they report in non-cash contributions, the nature of their reported non-cash property, and their reported shipment of those goods to the developing world. Kristina didn't explain this aspect of their business very well last time around, and I hope she can explain things now.

The president, James Reynolds II, was paid 315,829, and received an additional estimated $48,382 in the form of retirement and deferred compensation.

It seems to remain the case that virtually all of the cash raised from individuals goes to salaries and overhead, and virtually all of the organization's charitable contributions take the form of shipping medical supplies to clinics in the developing world with little regard for whether they benefit breast cancer patients. I look forward to Kristina's clarification.

I would also like to see a list of the actual recipients of the medical supplies they ship around the world, and their standard for determining that the recipients are "established and reputable program service partners", whether in general or for breast cancer treatment.

I would also like to know why there's no application form on their website for getting a direct grant or aid, and how the 661 U.S. individuals who received aid were identified and targeted.

Had a phone call last week and consented to receive materials for review. Of course the caller considered this a $20 pledge. As I troll for information it does appear that BCS does some degree of help but nothing compared to their total receipts.

Right. If you're comfortable with the fact that your donation is primarily going to be used to pay for overhead, salaries and fund raising, and which has as its primary purpose the shipment of donated medical supplies to the developing world, then it's a great charity for you.

If you want to donate to a charity that is devoted to either cancer research or to helping cancer patients in the United States, at least in my opinion there are many better alternatives.

Here is a link to their 990 - http://breastcancersociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Breast-Cancer-Society-990-2010-3.pdf

The majority of their "donations" leave the country and at least one one "charity" - The Stars Foundation received over $30 million and they have nothing to do with breast cancer.http://www.thestarsfoundation.com/you_can_help.aspx

The IRS and the Attorney General for each state where they are licensed to solicit donations should be investigating them.

I interpret the 1099 differently - that is, it looks to me like The Stars Foundation is a contributor (the primary contributor) of the medical goods that The Breast Cancer Society distributes to the developing world. I would like to learn more about the arrangment, should Kristina ever return. (I find it difficult to believe that the Breast Cancer Society isn't monitoring this thread.)

Actually Atticus, we have not been monitoring this thread. We are extremely busy. We have a staff of under 15 employees and monitoring programs all over the world for breast cancer patients.

What specific questions can I answer for you? We are open to answering questions about our international and domestic programs. We truly care how the public feels about our organization as we need public support to further our mission. How may I address your concerns?

thank you for all your good homework on this organization. I just had a call and received in the mail a bill for my telephone pledge. will now not send it. you have all done a good service. thanks again.

Thanks for posting this article-- very informative in general with detailed info on page 2 about the Breast Cancer Society in particular. It makes me sick what these people are doing in the name of charity.

Received a call today from THE BREAST CANCER SOCIETY. Was told by rep that they help those with breast cancer. I was asked for a commitment donation...but when I started to ask questions about the organization, the rep said that she didn't know as she was in training. Rep asked if I wanted to speak with her manager, I declined. To end call said I didn't know about donation and they should call another time. Hopefully, they won't bother me. But, I will simply decline or hang up on them. I wanted to check them out on internet...and thankful I did.

The article Jason shared is eye-opening. I had assumed that the BCS was getting donations of expired or near-expired medical supplies (as an article linked earlier in this discussion suggested) and was inflating their value for the benefit of the donors (like car charities used to do), but it looks like they simply cook their books:

Press him on his group's finances and he admits that, in fact, BCS raised just $15 million in cash donations in 2009. The other $35 million represented his estimate of medications that the BCS accepted as gifts or bought at a major discount but then listed on its books as having much higher values. For example, BCS reported that it sent $8.8 million worth of goods to hospitals in East Asia. "I'd have to look it up, but it probably cost us maybe $40,000 to procure and distribute that," Reynolds concedes in a phone interview."

If you promise them money, say, $20, perhaps the solution is to send them nine cents. "Yes, I acquired the pennies I sent you for 9 cents, but like those medications you ship to the third world I gave them a $20 book value and, unlike you, I'm throwing in the cost of shipping so you really have nothing to complain about."

I received a call last week, fell for it and they immediately wanted either my checking acct or credit card. I told them I don't give those #'s out. They sent me a donation pledge in the mail, followed up by a phone call yesterday asking if I received it. I am so thankful I checked this before sending a check. I will pay the postage to return their pledge with a nice little note!

Just got a call and googled while I spoke to the nice but pushy rep. Seems this is just another charity scam.

BTW, my daughter is the founder and president of a not-for-profit 501(3)c corp, Art 4 Ninos, and although she is just 19 years old, she keeps fastidious records of all donations and never reimburses herself for anything other than travel costs (budget airfare, staying in cheap hostels) in order to deliver boxes and crates of educational supplies and "soon to be expired" medicines.

Your article almost fooled me since the question mark is missing from the title! It appeared to be a statement, not a question. You typo is only helping them. I returned my empty pledge envelope with a copy of this (with the ?).

Got a call from this group today. When I informed the telemarketer (yes, that's what they are!) that we only give to charities who supply audited financials, she couldn't get me off the phone fast enough! I interrupted her several times asking if she could send an annual report and finally she hung up. If it smells fishy...

Have gotten endless calls when I told them I donate to Susan B Koman they insisted I donate to them as well. I informed them that I have actually witnessed the funds go to work for the community and thats where my money is staying. She insisted that their group was far superior. I asked for literature never came.

They are also preying on my 84-year-old mother with dementia, who has no money to donate, but they made her feel so guilty that she gave them her credit card number for breast cancer. I have a call in to Mr. Reynolds to demand that they return that money to her. I also learned that these 3rd party marketing companies will call the same "victims" for other charities they represent. She is now getting calls from the State Firefighters Association, Assoc. of State Troopers, Police & Troopers Assoc., Children's Wish, Youth Development Fund, and others I haven't tracked down yet. When I call the charity, they immediately refer me to their marketing company who say they will put her on their DNC list; however, today she received her fourth threatening letter saying she promised to send them money, keep your promise and send a check now, and the poor children depend on her contribution. I had to call the marketing company for a 3rd time to put her on DNC, and they always say they don't know what happened because she was put on the list when I called. BTW - I agree with the comment made on 5/17/12--The article title fooled me in my Google Search--it looked like a statement saying they ARE worthy-- rather than a question asking if they are. I thought I was going to learn why they are a good charity. Please add the Question mark--it will help with the Google search to learn if they are legitimate or not.

I recieved a call from this charity yesterday. When I told them they had called the right place because I am a breast cancer survivor and am currently going through my reconstruction and could use some assistance making my medical insurance premiums as they are currently $1,030.00 per month and my income is $1,200.00, they could not get rid of me fast enough. Saying they just collect donations for The Breast Cancer Society and told me to look them up in the web. These people should be ashamed of their actions and I'm sure hope there is a special place in Hell for "charitys" such as this one.

Someone from the Breast Cancer Society called me (actually hubby's name) today. I told them I had to check them out first, because I didn't know them yet, before I committed to anything. She insisted on sending us a "donation card" to solicit a donation. I wonder whether they already have our address on their list as well or whether she was just too dumb to ask. We'll see. If they send an envelope, I might just send it back with comment and no donation of course, like someone else suggested.

I am the marketing communications manager for Childrens Cancer Recovery Foundation (CCRF). Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation (CCRF) believes in charitable accountability. In 2011, CCRF put forth 81.4% of donations towards programming. If you have any concerns relating to the use of your donations, please call us at 1 (800) 238-6479 or e-mail us at childrens@cancerrecovery.org

Just got a call from the Childrens Cancer Recovery Foundation. I have a 3 year old with a brain tumor so was keen to donate agreed they could send me some information. Then I was immediately passed over to someone who wanted cc details. I refused to give them as I don't give out this kind of thing over the phone . Googled the charity when the call ended as it sounded dodgy . Needless to say they will not be getting any money from me.

As the marketing communications manager for Childrens Cancer Recovery Foundation (CCRF), I am both dismayed and disturbed to hear that individuals are using our children with cancer to prey on well-meaning donors. Phone scams, whether real or suspected hurt legitimate charities like ours. Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation raises funds for its programs through a telemarketing company. However, it is entirely possible that there is a phony telemarketing scheme using our name. We have earned the GuideStar Exchange Seal. Every donation helps us advance our mission. If you are at all concerned that the call you’re receiving is a scam, please call our office at 1 (800) 238-6479 or e-mail us at childrens@cancerrecovery.org. Feel free to use our online donation system at www.childrenscancerrecovery.org.

As you know, when you use a for-profit telemarketing company to raise money for your charity, you run the risk that they are going to use high-pressure tactics on calls, and you can take for granted that they're not going to want to mail out information - that would mean they don't get credit for an eventual donation. I don't know what happened in the situation described above, so let's treat it as a cautionary tale - a reminder that charities must exercise due diligence when hiring outside companies to do your fundraising.

I've had my website name and logo lifted and used in attempts to defraud people, so I'm certainly not going to rule out the possibility that somebody has set up a phone bank in Asia and is using your charity's name to swindle people.

I too have been pestered by the ACS and received a phone call from The Breast Cancer Society. I asked them if they gave to Planned Parenthood and they said no which could be true or a lie. I also wrote a note on ACS bill telling them I do not contribute to organizations I know give to Planned Parenthood. I have not heard from ACS since. This might be a way to get them off your back.

You are entitled to set whatever criteria you want for your charitable giving, but if you actually care about women's reproductive health and breast cancer screening you should reconsider your criteria.

Aaron, seriously? While I don't mean to demonized Planned Parenthood (some of their programs are fine) I don't think it's appropriate for you to tell this person that they should "reconsider" their religious and political views to match yours.

At the outset, I reject your central thesis that it is inappropriate to tell somebody to reconsider their political beliefs. But that's beside the point - if you actually read what I wrote, I didn't tell them to change any of their beliefs. I told them, "if you actually care about women's reproductive health and breast cancer screening you should reconsider your criteria", and that happens to be true.

If I were to accept your apparent thesis, that it's implicit in the comment of Anonymous #1 that she does not care about women's reproductive health and breast cancer screening, and thus that I was telling Anonymous #1 to change her position on that subject... your argument would still be incorrect. There is absolutely nothing wrong with suggesting that somebody reconsider their political views. What possesses you to believe that it's inappropriate to challenge somebody's political beliefs?

In terms of religion, nobody brought up religion except you. Anonymous #1 made no statement about her religious beliefs. But leaving that fact aside for the moment, what about the provision of "women's reproductive health and breast cancer screening" do you imagine is inconsistent with whatever religious beliefs you assume Anonymous #1 to hold? And why do you believe that somebody's religious beliefs, real or (in this case) imaginary, should never be challenged, no matter what else may be at stake?

Wow, really. If we apply a reductio ad absurdum to "I don't think it's appropriate for you to tell this person that they should 'reconsider' their religious and political views to match yours", the same thing could be said about asking Stalin to reconsider his pogroms.

If you don't want people to challenge your beliefs, it's probably best not to share them on the Internet.

I got this same call today. These are compensated fund raisers, they don't use that term when they call you anymore, but once you say yes and that "pledge card" comes in the mail, more calls from their other "charities" begin. I told the woman today I don't give to charities that call me, I donate to legitimate charities that I contact. Then I hung up, was not going to go through her we can start you at 100, etc. if anyone of you did "pledge" and have changed your minds, you don't have to send the $ yes they will bug you with calls and pledge cards, just ignore. They are very aggressive, a big tip off that they are not legit. Ask them if this is a compensated fundraiser, they usually are meaning very little goes to the charity they are supposedly representing.

As with the other organization posting to this thread that has a similar problem, your organization needs to be careful when choosing for-profit companies to collect donations. What fund-raising companies do you presently rely upon?

What are the "many programs" that you would offer to a U.S. cancer victim such as the above person's mother?

How much money did your organization spend on each of those programs last year? How many U.S. cancer victims were directly assisted by your organization through those programs?

Where's the place on your website where cancer victims can read about these "many programs" and sign up for services?

I don't think it's an actual person speaking, I think it's a scripted recording that has the ability to come up with a canned response in reply to what you say. I could be wrong but that's what it seemed to me. Then it gets put to a live person to try to get CC info.

I also received a call last week from the Breast Cancer Society and after some high pressure I agreed to a $20 donation. However, I refused to give them my credit card info over the phone. I have received a billing for the pledge but after reading these comments I have decided that I will not send the donation. Their website does not have any contact information, so I guess I'll just ignore the billing and see what happens.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I recently received a call, promised to send $10, and received a bill in the mail for that amount. I will not be sending that $10 to them but will instead send the money to a local charity group that is honest and forthright. Mel from CA.

I am a breast cancer patient (IBC). While I was at work they called & talked to my husband. He told them I was a cancer patient. They talked him into giving $20. I recieved the donation paper today in the mail. I fully intend on sending it back to them & telling them instead of me sending them $20, then in turn asking for their help, that I'm just going to keep my $20 and call it even. I'm gonna see what kind of response I get out of that. I'll let you know.

Please contact our offices. We have programs in place to assist you at this time. You are correct, while you are battling this disease, you need assistance, rather than giving it.support@breastcancersociety.org

Just received a phone call the other night. Just about gave them my CC number and then got a funny feeling about it and asked if they could just send a voucher in the mail instead. Needless to say that after reading this information I will just be sending the voucher back with a request to remove me from their phone and mailing list! I prefer to give to charities who stay local to my community anyway. Thanks for all of your valuable research into this company!

I received a call and told that person that my sister had breast cancer and that I am helping get on her feet. I was then told that "These ladies can't get chemo or radiation and they really need your help." Told her I still could not promise a donation since I already donate to the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen and of course my sister. She then said she would put me down for $10.00 instead of $20.00 and please hold for varification. I told the next representative that I would not promise to give them anything and she said that she would note my account and hung up. Called the toll free number to remove my name and number and got a voicemail that stated "this voicemail is full". You are right to give in your community, help when you can and keep all cancer "victims" "lifted" to whomever your higher power may be.

seriously? i and i know of others who have been helped both on and off the books by both these organizations. i had a co worker whose father was passing away from cancer and could not afford meds or some sort of special milk, they not only helped with the meds but left crates of the milk for him outside for my co worker to pick up. why is when people try to help that they recieve nothing but scorn instead you should be ashamed.

What organization do you believe we are talking about? This discussion is about "The Breast Cancer Society", and not even they claim to either give help "off the books" or to offer curbside delivery of "special milk".

It's when an organization claims to be helping, but effectively cheat people out of their donations or issues deceptive or misleading financial reports that mask their inefficiency, when the money could be used by other, far superior, charities that the organization deserves scorn.

The charity that offers Ensure for cancer patients is The Cancer Fund of America. They are a wonderful organization that has done much good for cancer patients across this country for more than 25 years.

Not to be confused with The Breast Cancer Society. Also a wonderful organization that assists breast cancer patients and will continue to do so. This is the guiding mission of the organization and the individual staff members who believe in this great cause.

I welcome any request for review of The Breast Cancer Society's financial reporting. I am their Director of Public Relations and strongly feel that a closer review of our financials will help settle many concerns.

You've told us that "The Cancer Fund of America [is] a wonderful organization" and have given us an example of a unique, good thing that they do for cancer victims, right here in the U.S.A.

You say that your organization is also wonderful. Can you give us a similar example of how it's wonderful? What do you do that other cancer charities do not do, for cancer victims here in the U.S.A.? What do you do for U.S. cancer victims that you would describe as "wonderful" and how do cancer victims sign up for those services?

My caller went right for the heartstings! When I heard "credit card number", I said not on the phone. Got my bill yesterday -- glad I checked. Mary will get my $20 in a card and the Reynolds family will have to chase some other victim.

Please email me your name, number and state and I will make sure your name is removed from our data base. We strive to maintain a strong relationship with our supporters. We will not contact you in the future if this is your wish. We respect your feelings and would like the oppurtunity to reflect this.kristina@breastcancersociety.org

As an non-profit organization striving to serve breast cancer patients, we need public assistance. We do reach out to the public in an attempt to raise funds to further the programs currently available to breast cancer fighters and their families.

We encourage that every individual research the guiding mission and financial reporting of any non-profit organization prior to making a contribution. We can supply this information to you upon request.

kristina@breastcancersociety.org

HOW TO HAVE YOUR NUMBER REMOVED FROM THE BREAST CANCER SOCIETY'S DATA BASE.

If you would like to be removed from our data base, we will gladly process this request for you. Please email: your name, the phone number you were contacted on and the state you live in. Your name will be removed within a 24 hour period.

You say that you are "striving to serve breast cancer patients" - how, exactly, are you doing that?

Where can a cancer victim here in the U.S. sign up for help on your site, and get a cash grant or similar direct support?

How much money did your organization report last year in income, and how much money went to U.S. based individuals with breast cancer? How much went to U.S. based organizations whose activities are focused on breast cancer victims?

Is your organization still playing the financial game of receiving or acquiring medical products for a very low price then purporting that they are worth many times what you paid (or what the donor paid) when you "distribute" them overseas? If not, what's the mark-up? 20x, 30x, 40x the cost of acquisition?

Kristina, I'm sorry but I just don't take you seriously. If you truly cared so deeply about cancer patients, your charity wouldn't associate itself with ACS. Why do you continue to deal with a company with a bad reputation that keeps a huge chunk of the money raised?

We've had a half dozen calls from ACS for the Breast Cancer Society in the last few days, after asking previously to be removed from their list. I went ahead and filed a complain with the FTC. I encourage more people to do this. Maybe if enough complaints come in the FTC will start levying the $16K fines that ACS so richly deserves for preying on people who aren't savvy enough to know they are being scammed. For more info on filing a complaint: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm

I was once accused by Kristina of deleting a post she made, even though her post appears in the comments above, so I'm going to be explicit about what I am presently doing. (The threat: "I have responded to all of your questions and appreciated the oppurtunity. I replied with over 4,000 characters and the administrator of this blog deleted it. They were open and accurate replies. If my replies continue to be deleted this will become a legal issue.")

After all of the discussion in this blog post, I suddenly found seven comments posted within minutes of each other, posted at the top of this thread. The comments read as follows:

From Anonymous, 9/10/12 4:42 PM EST"My visit was incredibly awesome. More than I ever could think of. I can’t believe all of the things I got that I could use. The people were better than awesome. The visit made my year. Thank you. -Marion Coats”

From Anonymous, 9/10/12 4:45 PM EST"Anyone who has the privilege of having such a support system as strong as the Breast Cancer Society, is set for life. God bless all of you wonderful people. –Alyssa Kibler"

From Anonymous, 9/10/12 4:48 PM"I cannot believe the kindness of TBCS. I just loved going thru the warehouse, sure makes it easier. I was very pleased. –Carla Lenti”

From Mary Shepherd, 9/10/12 5:02 PM EST"I thank god for the staff at the cancer society. I thank god that he has showed me by bringing me here that he is awesome and someone cares. The best part of this total experience is that it all is free. –"

From Doreen, 9/10/12 5:03 PM EST"I have been getting things from the Breast Cancer Warehouse. It has been a great way to help us feel better. God bless you all.”

From Maureen K, 9/10/12 5:08 PM EST"It is such an amazing project for cancer patients. I am surprised at how many wonderful, useful, quality items. It was nice to forget about cancer and money problems and just get something new. It’s so uplifting. I can not thank you all enough."

From Vicki Catlette, 9/10/12 5:09 PM EST"The Breast Cancer Society has helped me in so many ways. You are such wonderful people. –"

That is to say, seven unsolicited endorsements of the BCS were made within minutes of each other, to a two-and-a-half year old thread. Seven comments in less than thirty minutes.

Note that the first three comments, posted over the course of six minutes, follow the same format, an anonymous post followed by a dash and a name within the post content, no space in between. The fourth and seventh posts follow the same general format, ending with a dash but no name. One might infer that the person posting the comments neglected to remove the dash after removing the name, when they decided to use the Name/URL feature instead of posting anonymously. It appears also that all five comments were posted from the same IP address.

I have removed those comments from their original location. You are free to form your own opinion as to whether or not they are real.

Kristina, when you answer the questions you invited from Atticus, if you believe that there is any truth behind that series of comments please also tell us about the "Breast Cancer Warehouse", where the warehouse is located, what it contains, and how breast cancer patients can get the opportunity described in some of those comments to get things from the warehouse, or go through the warehouse (apparently multiple times) to obtain some of the "quality items" it contains. Please also tell us how that works - breast cancer patients can go into the warehouse and take whatever they need, whenever they want?

Hi Aaron, Yes that is right. We are proud to offer The Hope Supply Program to breast cancer fighters and their families. We currently have two operating warehouses. One is located in Mesa, Az and the other is in Edgemont, PA. Qualified breast cancer patients can come through our warehouses on a monthly basis and recieve donated items free of charge. If you know of a breast cancer patient who would benefit from this type of service please have them contact us.

We will need them to complete an application process to verify that they do indeed qualify for the program and then they can schedule an appointment. They can receive an application by emailing support@breastcancersociety.org or calling our toll free number at 888.470.7909.

Where can I find information on your organization's website about the warehouses, and how "qualified breast cancer patients" can get access?

How many "qualified breast cancer patients" were able to select items from your warehouses in 2011? In 2012? What is the average number of visits per "qualified breast cancer patient"?

Give some examples of what a typical "qualified breast cancer patient" receives after visiting a warehouse.

What is the value of the goods your organization distributed to "qualified breast cancer patients" through this program in 2011? So far in 2012? Please give the cost of acquisition of the goods you distributed.

I received a call last night and was feeling railroaded into giving a donation. As I don't donate to phone solicitors, I asked if they could send me some background information. My request was skirted and when I began asking questions, the woman on the other end of the line ignored me and continued reading her script over my queries, so I hung up. This morning I received a follow-up call because "last night's phone connection was broken," and they were wondering if they could count on my pledge. I told the rep on the phone that they could not, because I'd been treated rudely. Only when I tried looking up the organization today did I run across this article and comments. Thank you for sharing this valuable information.

I was called by this company 3 days ago. They wanted me to donate $20. I told them I would need to look into their company first. The woman told me I didn't need to do that, because they are trying to help women. Surprisingly I heard another woman's voice on the line insisting I give $10. I told her to send me the info so I could look into them and I would think about donating $5. I received the info in the mail yesterday that said I "promised" $10. Today, I received a call asking me why I hadn't sent my money in. I told her I hadn't had time to look into them. She told me to give her my credit card over the phone because they couldn't wait for me to mail it to them. I told her no and she hung up. They are not getting any money from me now.

I think this report below says it all. I can't believe they are still running. It really pisses me off how some people can use other people's misfortunes as a way to earn some money. Do you people have no shame or guilt?

Thanks for this link and thanks to all of you for the great information on here. I too received a phone call and they wanted my credit card, but I told them I preferred the mailer. I received it, and after reading this blog and the news article, I decided I won't be donating to the Reynolds family either.

SO glad I stopped in here. They called me at 8:30 on Saturday morning after a long work week. I was half delirius and cut them off to make a pledge so I could go back to sleep. Just now wrote the $20 check and noticed that their pink "ribbon" was not right...not symmetrical and a pointed arrow at the end! Again, so glad I checked it out...ripping up the check now and can't wait for them to call back!!

This is starting to get annoying.....The Cancer Fund Of America has called me twice in 1 week waking me up at 8:08am & 8:22am.I am on the national do not call list and have asked them twice(talked to Karin) to take me off their list. THEY KEEP CALLING!! How do I get them to stop? Can I sue them for harassment?My wife is a stage 3 Breast Cancer Survivor, both of my parents are cancer survivors and my father-in-law is a cancer survivor- but this repeated waking me up in the morning is getting outta control! Where is a Lawyer who wants to take up a class action? If you are one.....PLEASE CONTACT ME

The Breast Cancer Society is still at their rude solicitations. Google is so helpful in connecting to information such as this, and I'm glad people like the person behind The Stopped Clock are willing to put in the time to provide the information.

I see they've got a new address - in an office park. Their address used to be in a house in a subdivision. I guess they figured people were on to their not being legitimate. Ironically a totally different charity was also headquartered at that house, so they had multiple scams

I received a call from them a few weeks ago and I agreed to give $40 if they sent me info in the mail. The information arrived but was very strange looking. They included a bill which states that I owe $40 ever since then they have called me night and day as early as 8:30 am and as late as 8:30 pm. I am very happy that I read this post because I will not be donating to them. Thank you all so much for your replies. Something told me that I should look into the charity before sending them any money.

I received a call from them this evening, and right off the bat, my suspicions were raised. You talk to two women in these calls, and the first IS a very realistic-sounding "female" robot. I tripped it up with my answer, apparently, as it started to say something and then reset itself.

Immediately after agreeing to a $20 donation, I was transferred to a real woman. Her first question was: "will you be making this donation on your debit or credit card?" I told them that I don't, as a matter of routine, give out that information to strangers on the phone. I then said, "I thought I was going to receive something in the mail, whereby I could send a check after I verify that you are indeed a legitimate charity?" The woman got snippy and told me something to the effect that it was my fault that women were dying, RIGHT NOW, because I was too paranoid to give out my CREDIT CARD NUMBER OVER THE PHONE! I mean...come on! Really? She finally agreed to send something after I calmed her down. I eagerly await my voucher!

I SMELL A SCAM!

Thanks for keeping this site up with this information. This kind of thing is bad news for all involved.

I met this organization at a fund raising convention. As a professional fund raiser I am concerned with contacting this organization for follow up. Whether the allegations of legitamacy are true or not I am unaware however, anyone who astro turfs feedback/testimony will always raise a red flag in my book. Thank you for sharing

I received a call today from a female purporting to represent the Breast cancer Society of Florida - all very nice and legit sounding - 5013c, registered with the state, etc. Then she switched me to another phone person who immediately went for the credit card info. There is definitely a scam out there. Beware.

Great. I should have checked before sending in my $25. I just recieved a call from them again. I'm getting them weekly. Not only did I just get the call, picked up my mail and there was another letter telling me I needed to pay for my pledge, which I already have. How do I get rid of these crooks?

I just received a call from these people. Mentioned that I was a BC survivor. Asked her to wait while I checked her organization online. She wished me a great day and hung up on me before I could check.

The Breast Cancer Society is plagued with nepotism and greed. If you google them you will see that many reports have been filed against them and investigations have exposed this information. DO NOT DONATE to this orginization. Unless you don't mind supporting the shameless Reynolds family. They exploit the misfortune of others to gain personal profit. Read the reports... its all public record.

I've received at least five calls from them on a number of different numbers. I'm in Raleigh NC and was interested to see their call number was 919 area code and if you call it back it says "This is the Breast Cancer Society....".

Anyway they always ask for my ex-wife's name and I say "wrong number" and they say, "Oh, it's the right number, but wrong name, I'm sorry about that. We're the ....". I asked where she was calling from and she said the call center in a different state.

I've told them repeatedly not to call and remove my number from the list. Again, this time, I said I was aware of their deceptive business practices and told them again not to call back.

I'm a BC survivor and they are not on the level. They tried pressing my husband for $20 after he asked for literature. Scam. Don't fall for it. When anyone calls just ask for literature and you'll get rid of 99.9% of these scum buckets. 413-241-3302

Oh my. I looked them up and found this too. Thank you for the information! I'm not sending them a check now. I thought something looked fishy on the mail that I just got from them. On the reverse, there are tons of different addresses. I was first skeptical when they called because it was recorded and "Amanda" said that I could write the a check but then it switched over to a live person and they wanted to immediately take my bank account/credit card info over the phone. I then said but I said I'd do a check, already, to the automated chick. I just read a lot of your replies, and frankly, this royally pisses me off! I have Multiple Sclerosis AND Fibromyalgia. I don't like being taken advantage of from some scam charity.

@KRIStINA Hixson.................................. so wHaT was said by THe adMin musT b True, i jusT waCHTed a segmenT on aC360 sHame on u ur Hsband ur faTHer in law and rose perkins THe wHole familys in on THe sCam How Can u sleep aT nigHT preying on THe siCk and THe poor!!!!! my wisH for u is breasT CAnCer THaTs Too lae To do anyTHING abouT IT,maybe THENu will learn Compassion!!!!!

The sad truth is that these charities will most likely continue on and possibly even be more successful in collecting donations then before the CNN story. You know what they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity. If you really want to see justice for scum like these people, write your state Attorney General and maybe even the Federal Trade Commission. They have used the misfortune of others to gain personal profit long enough.

Thanks for posting this. I had a call from them last week and also insisted they send me something in the mail. I wanted time to research them. It's so sad that scams like the Breast Cancer Society are siphoning off donations that could go to other legitimate charities.

I was scammed by the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation twice before I looked them up and found out they are a scam.The third time they called, I told them to put me on their "do not call list". Each time, it was a very nice sounding young woman who called.

Today, got a call from Breast Cancer Society. I told them about the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation. The telemarketer was impatient. She kept telling me that they were not the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation. They are the Breast Cancer Society. I fell for it.

I don't know why I'm so gullible and so stupid. I think it isbecause I just don't want to believe people can be so selfish.

The not-so-nice telemarketer transferred me to a collector to get my credit card number. The collector was a little nicer. I told her to look into these scams that divert funds from legitimate charities like theirs. She said that she would.

My phone number is now on the national do not call list. I spoke with my bank today and was told that I candispute the charge to my credit card, and I will getmy last donation back. I will give it to a worthy charity.

I watched the CNN report on the Reynolds family, James T. SR. James T. JR., Katherine Hickson, Rose Perkins, etc. Thought it was funny when Anderson Cooper described them running away like cockroaches when the cameras came in. That is truly what they are.

Just so you know. The calls are not robots. They are computers controlled by a human. The responses are limited so you trip them up with off the wall questions. They do it to keep the reps in check. The hang ups most of the time aren't really hang ups. When you trip up the operator the dead silence while they try to figure out what to say to you sounds like a hang up.

Now that I'm done with the excuses it's time for the truth. I worked for one of the companies that solicits for TBCS. I had a major moral hang up with working there. I don't believe that you should guilt people into giving to charity. Unfortunately that's the game here.

The computers have a response to almost every major reason why people would not give. Even helping another person outside of your household with cancer is not enough to stop them from running the guilt trip on you. I hated myself everyday coming home. I had nightmares about the seniors that would break down crying on the phone after being guilt tripped. The sad part is 80% of the people on the sales floor are completely clueless about what they are doing.

Also the operators are taking 2 calls at once. This had 2 effects. It increases productivity. The second effect is the worse to me. It makes it so your mind is so tied up you don't really listen to the words that people are saying to you. It deadens your emotions because you don't have time to feel what people are saying. You just react. We are taught to not let the person the line talk much. It stops them from thinking to much and it stops us from hearing their situation and sympathizing with them.

I am a generous giver when it comes to charity but working here really opened my eyes to this game. From this point on, donations of currency/items will be on a personal level. I will still continue to do time donations for my favorite causes. The job was horrible but in the end it was a blessing. Now I know better.

TBCS is still active..just received a call much like everyone else. Amanda called, very pleasant, pushed for a donation amount; I agreed to $20. She then transferred me to another woman who wanted my credit card; told her no way over the phone, I had agreed to have forms sent to me by mail. She sullenly agreed and confirmed my mailing address. After reading through this blog, I will definitely not be sending them any $. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences here.

Am I now in trouble? Do I have to send the funds? I have read, with much dismay, this blog & its comments as well as other troubling articles on the internet about The Breast Cancer Society. I have yet to see one positive article that they didn't personally write.

I, like Ronnie's's blog above, received a phone call (caller ID said from "Florence, KY"), and I finally agreed to send $10. Since I would not ante up my credit card information for a non-solicited call, I was shuttled "for verification" to a woman who pressed hard for me to increase my "commitment to support victims of breast cancer." Nope. I received my pledge form Monday (very quickly sent).

It sickens me to have to give these people $10! I'd rather take it to the local shelter!!! However, I do not wish to get in trouble for not making good on a pledge.

If it makes you feel better, so to speak, there's a good chance that only about $1.50 of that $10 will go to the BCS, with the rest going as a fee to their fund-raising company... perhaps one in which the proprietors of the BCS and the Reynolds family's constellation of 'charities' have a stake.

"In 2002, Reynolds' then-wife Perkins, his son James and Cancer Fund of America board members transformed space in a telemarketer's phone room in Michigan into a brand new charity.

"Their section of the telemarketer's building became Cancer Support Services.

"Despite its tax-exempt status, Cancer Support functions as nothing more than a boiler room for Cancer Fund of America.

Okay, sorry, that didn't make you feel better."Reynolds' son James, head of Breast Cancer Society, earned six-figure salaries from two family charities in 2008. According to IRS filings, Reynolds Jr. worked 45 hours a week for his father's charity in Tennessee while simultaneously putting in a 40-hour week at the breast cancer group in Arizona. He took home a combined $262,000 that year. In 2011, his total compensation was nearly $300,000."

With a schedule like that, I'm amazed he had the energy to raise his middle finger to reporters attempting to ask him about his organization's dubious activities.

In 2011, Breast Cancer Society reported in a public financial filing that all its donated medical supplies, valued at more than $36 million, came from two sources, World Help in Virginia and Containers of Hope in Canada.

But both suppliers told reporters they had no record of providing goods to Breast Cancer Society or shipping them overseas on its behalf.

I can understand why Kristina is hiding her face, but I have no sense that it's out of shame.

Een the "charities" that BCS claims collect and ship the goods that it claims on its books seem to be scammers:

"In late April, World Help revealed that it had overstated the value of goods it shipped for many of its charity clients. In a revised audit, World Help reduced the value of its 2011 shipments from $227 million to $5 million."

I'm not sure if that was a year in which World Help actually shipped goods for BCS, or if that was one of the years for which they deny BCS's claim, but the discrepancy may help explain why BCS is so slow to release its 2012 Form 990.

Wow. Incredible research/reporting on your part! Thank you!!! Ironically, I received a call yesterday from the organization supposedly responsible for the phone bank. ??? I thought I was talking directly to a BCS person--at least that's what I was told. Seems these folks wanted to thank me for my donation and encourage me to be generous when I submitted my pledge.

I promptly launched into her for the atrocities that I've since uncovered, and at first, she denied knowledge about that of which I spoke. Finally, she said that I would be "relieved of my pledge obligation," all the while still denying "the charity" was guilty of any wrongdoing. From now on, when my home phone rings, I'll let the machine get it. If it's important, the caller will leave a message.

Thank you, Atticus, for the tireless work you are doing to expose this waste of good resources that could truly benefit those in real need.